Adjustable and extension table



No. 615,048. Patented Nov. 29, I898. u. H. ROTTMAN.

ADJUSTABLE AND EXTENSION TABLE.

(Application filed Dec, 7, 1807.)

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

III

| Wiiges'ses eAfl'omyzys, N

Patented Nov. 29, I898.

H. H. ROTTMAN.

ADJUSTABLE AND EXTENSION TABLE.

(Application filed Dec. 7, 1897.)

2 Sheet-$heet 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY H. ROTTMAN, OF WILKES-BARBIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

ADJUSTABLE AND EXTENSION TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 615,048, dated November 29, 1898.

Application filed December 7,1897. Serial No. 661,069. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HARRY H. ROTTMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wilkes-Barre, in the county of Luzerne and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Adjustable and Extension Table, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to adjustable and extension tables in which I have combined and arranged a reversible permanent table-top for service in connection with a series of detachable extension-leaves and a slidable or extension frame in a manner to provide for the contraction of the frame and allow the reversible permanent top to be seated thereon and cover the entire area of such frame in its contracted position and allow the extension of the frame and the use of the extension-leaves in con nection with said permanent table-top and the extensible frame.

A further object that I have in view is to provide means for securely holding the permanent table top in its adjusted position whether used by itself as the fiat table-surface or in connection with the extensionleaves.

A further object that I have in view is to construct and arrange the parts for service in a simple manner and provide for the ready and expeditious adjustment of a permanent table-top, the extension-leaves, and the extension-frame.

With these ends in view my invention consists, broadly, in the combination, with an extension-frame and extension-leaves adapted to be fitted removably thereon, of a permanent table-top having a hinge connection with said extension-frame and adapted to be reversed thereon to bring either of its faces uppermost; and the invention further consists in the novel combination of devices and in the construction and arrangement of parts, which will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

To enable others to understand my invention, I have illustrated the same in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved table, showing it adjusted to bring the extension-leaves in operative relation to the permanent table-top. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View through the table on the plane indicated by the dotted line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the table with the frame contracted or closed and showing the permanent tabletop seated thereon. Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view on the plane indicated by the dotted line 4.- 4, Fig. 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the slidable carrier with its metallic base-plate removed from the end section of the table. Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the hinged bar or arm, showing its slidable hingeplate and the reversible stop for bracing the hinge-bar between its connection with the slidable hinge-plate. Fig. 7 is a vertical detail sectional view through the locking devices for the reversible permanent table-top. Fig. 8 is a detail view of the hinge-plates for use in connection with the hingebar shown by Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is a detail view of the closurespring.

'Like numerals of reference denote like and corresponding parts in each of the several figures of the drawings.

In the practical embodiment of my table I employ a permanent table-top l, a slidable extension-frame 2, and a series of extensionleaves. The permanent table-top 1 is a single structure, preferably of circular or disk-like form, as shown by Fig. 1 of the drawings; but the precise shape of this permanent table-top is not material and may be varied at pleasure. The permanent table-top is preferably made of a single piece, or it may be made of a series of sections united together to present a single integral structure, the detailed construction of the top 1 being immaterial.

The extension-frame 2 consists of the end sections 3 4 and a slidable middle section 5. Each end section in turn consists of a semicircular end piece 6, the longitudinal slides 7 7, and the cross-bars 8, which unite the semicircular end piece rigidly to the longitudinal slides 7, said cross-bars being arranged at the lower edges of the end piece and the longitudinal slides. I

slides 9, arranged when the table-frame is contracted to fit between the slides 7 7 of the respective end frames, and said slides of the middle frame-section 5 are engaged at their respective ends with the slides 7 7 of the respective end sections 3 4. The several slides of the end and middle sections of the extensible table-frame are provided with grooves 11 in their upper and lower edges and with grooves 12 in their vertical faces. The slides of the several table-frame sections are interlocked slidably together by means of the ribs or tongues 13 and the coupling-irons let; but as the detailed construction of the slides of the several table-sections is ordinary in this art I do not deem it necessary to enter more fully and at large upon the detailed construction and arrangement of the several interlocking devices by which the slides of the table-frame sections are operatively connected together.

The table-frame is adapted to be closed compactly together by having the middle frame-section slide between the bars 7 7 of the end sections 3 4:, so as to permit the semicircular end pieces 6 6 of the end frame-sections 3 4 to abut together and thereby present a substantially continuous surface upon which the permanent table-top 1 may be seated. This adjustment of the table presents a structure having an ornamental appearance and well adapted to be used as a card-table or for any other purpose; but at the same time the extension-frame may be drawn out to the full limit permitted by the slides 9 of the central frame-section to enable the eXtension-leaves to be used in connection with the permanent table-top and present a large area or surface, which renders the structure well adapted for use as a dining-table.

The permanent table-top is connected in a peculiar manner to the extension table-frame for the purpose of reversing said top and bringing either of its surfaces uppermost. W hen the table is to be used as an ornamental or card table, it is desirable that the permanent table-top shall present a smooth finished appearance; but when the table is employed in connection with the extensionleaves I reverse the top to present its beveled or chamfered edge to one of the extension-leaves in a manner to secure fitting of the several parts of the top surface flush with each other.

I will now proceed to describe in detail the means whereby this permanent table-top may be reversed to present either of its surfaces to View, and in this connection it is proper to state that the hinge between the permanent table-top and one end section of the extension-frame is slidably mounted to provide for the projecting of the hinge beyond the tableframe, as well as to secure the compact disposition of the hinge within the table-frame under the different conditions of service of the structure.

In the opposing faces of the fixed slides 7 7 of the end section 3 are cut the verticallyinclined grooves or channels 15 15, arranged in planes coincident with each other, and in these inclined grooves or channels is fitted the slidable carrier 16. This slidable carrier is preferably made in the form shown by Fig. 5, and it is provided with laterally-projecting tongues 17, adapted to occupy the grooves or channels 15 and maintain the carrier between the slides 7 7 to move longitudinally with respect thereto. This slidable carrier sustains a metallic base-plate 18, which is fastened rigidly to the carrier in a suitable wayas, for example, by the transverse screws shown in the drawingsand said metallic base-plate is of greater length than the slidable carrier on which it is mounted to provide an extended bearing-surface for the slidable hinge-plate, presently referred to, whereby the hinge is adapted to have the necessary sliding play on the end frame-section 3 to extend the hinge beyond the semicircular end piece of the end frame-section 4 and permit the permanent table-top to be reversed on its hinge connection without interference from the extensionframe and obviating the necessity for attaching the table-top to the structure, thereby insuring the permanent connection of the table-top with the extension-frame.

The metallic base-plate 18 is provided on its upper surface with the horizontal guideways or channels 19, situated at the side edges of said base-plate, and in these longitudinal horizontal guideways of the metallic baseplate is slid-ably fitted a hinge-plate 25, which is free to move longitudinally on said metallic base-plate 18.

20 is the hinged bar or arm, which is preferably bent or offset in the peculiar manner illustrated, substantially, by Fig. 6. The offset 21 in the hinged bar or arm is so formed and arranged as to receive the beveled or chamfered edge of the permanent table-top when the latter is adjusted to bring the upper extremity of the hinge-bar to view on the upper side of said table-top. This hinge bar or arm is adapted to fit in a groove or recess 23, provided in one face of the table-top adjacent to its beveled or chamfered edge, and said table-top is furthermore provided with a deep channel or recess 23, arranged transversely to the groove 22 and adapted to receive the hinge -plates 2t. These hingeplates 2% are seated in the transverse channel or recess 23 to be flush with the face of the table-top, and they are arranged on opposite sides of the free end of said hinge bar or arm 20 in order that a pintle or pivot-pin 23 may be connected operatively with said end of the hinge bar or arm and the hingeplates 24. A closure-spring an is fitted in the transverse channel or recess to lie flush with the face of the table-top and have its free end adjacent to the hinged end of the bar or arm 20, and when the table-top is reversed the offset 21 in the hinge bar or arm is adapted to press against the closure-spring and force the same inwardly, so that the 0&- set end of the hinge bar or armmay occupy a compact relation to the table-top when the latter is reversed to present its ornamental finished face to view.

The sliding hinge-plate has the other end of the offset bar or arm 20 attached pivotally thereto, as at 26, and thus the hinge bar or arm is connected by independent hinge-j oin ts to a slidable plate and to the table-top. In connection with the offset hingearm or barand the reversible table-top I employ a reversible stop 27, which is connected, as at 28, to the hinge-joints 26 between the slidable plate 25 and said hinge bar or arm 20, and said reversible stop 27 is adapted to be turned to occupy the space between the face of the table-top and the hinge-joint 25 when the table-top is adjusted into the position for service in connection with the extension-leaves, whereby the joint between the hinge-arm and the sliding hinge-plate is braced and strengthened by said reversible stop to relieve the joint from undue strain, said reversible stop serving the purpose of a lock in limiting the permanent table-top'from movement or play with relation to its sliding and turning hinge connection with the end section 3 of the table-frame.

In adjusting the table-frame and reversing the table-top 1 it is necessary to slide the carrier 16 to the full limit permitted by the channels 15 in the slide 7 of the end section 3, and thereby extend one end of the inclined metallic base-plate 18 beyond the semicircular end piece of the frame-section 4, which adjustment of the parts is rendered necessary to provide sufficient clearance between the edge of the permanent table-top and the frame to reverse said table-top. To secure this extension of the metallic baseplate 18 beyond the table-frame, I provide a transverse slot or opening 30 in the semicircular end piece 6 of the end frame-section 4, and said slot or opening 30 is adapted to be closed by a flap-door 31, which is hinged, as at 31, to permit the flap-door to be turned into the opening or slot 30 and lie flush with the exposed face of the semicircular end piece 6, said flap-door being held in its closed position by a suitable fastener 32.

When the extension-frame is contracted to bring the semicircular end pieces 6 6 against each other and the tabletop is adjusted to present its finished surface to view, it is desirable to hold the table-top rigidly in its adjusted position, and thus relieve the sliding and turning hinge connection for said tabletop with the extension-frame from undue strain. I attain this object by the provision of a locking device which is mounted on the end frame-section 4 and is adapted to be operatively engaged with the permanent tabletop. This locking device is mounted in a vertical block 33, which is fixed to the inside face of the semicircular end piece 6 of the end frame-section 4, and said block is adjacent to the slot or opening 30 in said end piece 6. Through the fixed block 33 is formed a vertical slot or passage 34, of a form and dimensions to accommodate the slidable keystem 35, which is fitted loosely insaid block 33, and this slidable key-stem is provided at its upper end with the locking-head 36, while its lower end is formed with a handle 37, oocupying a recess 37 a in the lower end face of the fixed block 33, so as to be readilyaccessible at all times for manipulation by hand.

In that face of the permanent table-top to which the hinge arm or bar 30 is pivotally connected I provide a keeper 38, which is set flush with said face of the permanent tabletop, and this keeper 38 is so positioned or arranged on the permanent table-top as to come opposite to or in alinement with the vertical slot or passage 34 in the fixed block 33 when the table-top is adjusted to present its ornamental or finished surface to View. The keeper 38 is thus adapted to receive the locking-head 36 of the slidable stem 35, and said stem may be raised to project its lockinghead into the keeper, after which the stem may be turned axially to throw the head 36 into the slot 38 formed in the table-top out of line with the opening in the keeper 38, whereby the headed stem 35 is adapted to engage with the permanent table-top to lock the same against edgewise displacement on the table-frame. It will be observed that the locking-stem is mounted on the end framesection 4 in position to be readily reached by inserting the hand below the lower edge of the table-frame, and its handle 37 provides a convenient means for adjusting the headed locking-stem 35, both endwise and axially, to project or withdraw the stem and to turn the latter for throwing its head 36 into or out of the recess 38 of the permanent table-top.

To prevent the ornamental or polished surface of the table-top from being scratched or defaced by contact with the table -frame, I provide the cushions or rests 39 on the slides 7 and semicircular -end piece 6 of the end frame-section 3. These cushions or rests may consist of pieces of fabric, which are united, for instance, by a suitable cement to the upper edges of the end piece and slides of the end frame-section 3; but the detailed construction of the cushions or rests is not material and may be varied as desired.

The extension-leaves of my improved table are indicated at 40, 42, 43, and 44; but the number of leaves which I may use is not material and may be varied at pleasure according to the dimensions of the table-frame when extended. The section 40, forming one of the extension-leaves, constitutes the center piece of the table when the extension -leaves are used in connection with the permanent tabletop 1, and this leaf 40 is shaped to adapt it for use in connection with the permanent tabletop, so as to secure flush fitting of said leaf 40 with the top 1. I prefer to construct the center piece with a segmental recess 40 and with detachable segmental end pieces 41, each segmental end piece having a straight outer edge and an inner curved edge. The end pieces 41 are detachably interltcked with the extension-leaf 40 by suitable dowel-pins 41 on the removable end sections 41, fitting sockets in the leaf 40, and when the sections 41 are properly adjusted to the leaf 40 the inner segmental edges of said end pieces 41 are curved concentric to the curvature of the leaf 40 and present a substantially continuous semicircular edge for the purpose of fitting the leaf 40 and its end pieces 41 properly to the edge of the permanent table-top. The curved edges of the leaf 40 and its end pieces 4]. are beveled or chamfered similar to the chamfered or beveled edge of the permanent table-top, and the leaf 40 is further provided with a recess 40 to receive the hinge bar or arm 20, whereby the leaf 40 is adapted to fit flush with the table-top 1. The sections 42, 43, and 44 of the extension table-top are interlocked removably together by suitable dowel-pins fitting in sockets in an ordinary manner, and said leaves or sections of the extension table-top have the beveled edges to correspond with the edge of the permanent table-top.

This being the construction of my improved table, the operation may be described as follows: The structure is adapted for use as an ornamental table by sliding the end sections 3 4 toward each other and bringing the semicircular end pieces 6 against one another, sliding the carrier 16 in the groove toward the semicircular end piece 6 of the end framesection 3, and sliding the hinge-plate and the hinge bar or arm to the end of the metallic base-plate 18 until arrested by the stop 25", thus lowering the hinge-bar downwardly with relation to the table-frame, because the grooves 15 are inclined. This adjustment of the parts brings the table-top into a position where its ornamental or finished surface is presented to view, and it rests upon the cushions 39 of the frame. In this position of the parts the flap-door 31 is closed and fastened to make the table-frame present a continuous appearance, and the locking device 35 is adjusted to engage with the keeper 38 to hold the permanent table-top 1 against edgewise displacement 011 the frame.

\Vhen it is desired to enlarge the area of the table and adapt it for service as a diningtable or for other purposes, the hinged flapdoor 31 is opened and the locking device 35 is retracted from engagement with the keeper of the permanent table-top. The carrier and the table-top are now moved laterally on the table-frame, so as to project the metallic baseplate 18 through the slot 30 in the tableframe, and the hinge-plate 25 is drawn to the end of the metallic base-plate 18. During the endwise adjustment of the carrier, its metallic base-plate, and the hinge-plate 25 the metallic plate and the hinge-plate are gradually elevated by the inclination of the grooves or channels 15 in the table-frame, and thus the hinged table-top is raised and projected beyond the table-frame in a manner to permit it to be reversed without coming in contact with the table-frame. The table-top may now be reversed on its hinge connection with the arm or bar 20 and to cause its edge to fit in the offset 21 of the hinge arm or bar, after which the stop 27 is adjusted to rest against the lower ornamental face of the table-top. The member 4 and middle section 5 of the table-frame may now be withdrawn endwise from the end section 3 of said table-frame, while the table-top is lowered on the end section 3 to rest upon the cushions or rests 39 thereon, thus preventing the ornamental or finished surface of the permanent table-top from being defaced by contact with the table-frame. The extension-leaf 40 is now adjusted to fit against the curved edge of the permanent table-top and to have the hinge arm or bar fit in its recess therein, after which the other extension-leaves 42, 43, and 44 are adjusted on the extension-frame 4 5 and interlocked with each other, the last extensionleaf 44 being interlocked with the slides 7 of the end frame-section 4 by suitable vertical dowel-pins 45, fittingin openings of the frameslides 7. To contract the table and bring the table-top 1 into service, the end frame-section 4 and middle frame-section 5 are moved endwise with relation to the end frame-section 3, after which the table-top is elevated to an upright position, the stop 27 moved out of engagement therewith, and the table-top lowered to a substantially horizontal position. The hinge-plate 25 may now be moved lengthwise on the metallic base-plate 18 until arrested by the stop 25", and the carrier 16 is moved in the grooves 15 to bring the tabletop to a position over the contracted tableframe. The permanent table-top may now rest upon the cushions 39, the locking device 35 engage with the table-top, and the flapdoor 30 closed.

The precise shape of the permanent tabletop and the frame and the number of the hinges used in my improved table are not material, and these parts may be varied at pleasure.

It is evident that other changes in the form and proportion of parts and in the details of construction may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing the advantages of the invention, and I therefore reserve the right to make such changes and alterations as properly fall within the scope of myinvention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with an extensionframe, and extension-leaves, of a permanent table-top connected with said extension-frame and reversible thereon, substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. The combination with an extensionrier for permitting the reversal of the tabletop on said table-frame, substantially as and for the purposes described.

4. The combination with a table-frame, of a slidable carrier mounted thereon, a slidable hinge-plate fitted to said carrier, a reversible table-top, and a hinge arm or bar pivoted to the slidable plate and said reversible tabletop, substantially as and for the purposes described.

5. The combination with a table-frame, of a reversible table-top, a slidable and hinge connection between said frame and said reversible table-top, and means, substantially as described, adapted to be operatively engaged with the table-top and said hinge connection for holding the top and hinge connection locked in their adjusted positions, substantially as and for the purposes described.

6. The combination with a table-frame, of a slidable carrier mounted thereon and adapted to be projected therefrom, a reversible table-top, a hinge-plate slidably mounted on said carrier, a hinge arm or bar between said table-top and the hinge-plate, and a reversible stop mounted on the hinge-plate and adapted to be adjusted in engagement with the hinge-bar and said reversible table-top, substantially as and for the purposes described.

7. The combination of a table-frame having inclined ways or grooves, a slidable carrier fitted to said inclined ways, a slidable hingeplate mounted on the carrier and adapted to be projected therewith beyond the tableframe, a reversible table-top, and a hinge arm or bar between the hinge-plate and said table- 'top, substantially as described.

8. The combination with a table-frame and a reversible table-top thereon, of a hinge and slidable connection between said reversible table-top and the frame, and a locking device mounted on the frame and adapted to engage with said table-top,substantially as and for the purposes described.

9. In an extension-table, the combination with an extension-frame, of a reversible tabletop having a hinged and slidable connection with one member of said extension-frame to permit the top to cover the frame when collapsed and to occupy a position at one end of the frame when the latter is extended, removable leaves adapted to be operatively fitted to the frame and top, and means for looking the top detachably to the frame when the latter is folded and the top covers the same, substantially as described.

10. An extension table-frame consisting of the end sections and the middle section slidably engaged with said end sections, each end section provided with a curved end piece adapted to abut against a similar end piece on the other end section, in combination with a reversible table-top having a slidable and hinge connection with one end section of the table-frame, and extension-leaves adapted to rest on the middle and one end section of said frame, and arranged flush with the reversible table-top, substantially as and for the purposes described.

11. An extension table-frame consisting of an end section having a semicircular end piece and fixed longitudinal slides, a middle frame-section slidably connected with said longitudinal slides, and another end section provided with a semicircular end adapted to abut against the similar end on the firstnamed end section and having longitudinal slides operatively connected with the middle frame-section, the Whole frame adapted to be closed compactly together and one frame-section having a transverse opening adapted to be closed by a suitable door, in combination with a reversible table-top, a slidable and hinge connection between said table-top and one frame-section and adapted to be projected through the slot in the other frame-section, and extension-leaves, substantially as and for the purposes described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

HARRY H. ROTTMAN.

Witnesses:

P. R. MUELL, JAcoB RIEG. 

